This S’pore biz recreates designer scents, now it’s grown to 2 outlets & expanding across SEA

Lululemon dupes, Dyson Airwrap dupes, Van Cleef dupes—if a product is popular, there’s almost definitely a cheaper alternative. And consumers are all in. The appeal of dupes has skyrocketed in recent years, and today, they account for a significant portion of the global consumer market. It’s a US$1.7 trillion industry. Riding this phenomenon is Best Perfume […]
ULI data: Singapore’s HDB apartments are the 2nd most affordable in the entire Asia-Pacific

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Data comes from the recent release of the Housing Attainability Index by Urban Land Institute. Urban Land Institute (ULI), an international real estate non-profit research organisation founded in 1936, has just released its latest Housing Attainability Index report for Asia-Pacific, placing Singapore’s […]
How this all-women camp normalised period care in the outdoors with the help of Laurier

[This is a sponsored article written in collaboration with Laurier Malaysia.] When planning a trip to the outdoors, it’s common to see women think twice before agreeing. You might chalk it down to disinterest, but more often than not, it’s because of another culprit—Aunt Flo. We’ve all heard the stories of discomfort faced by fairer […]
Unifi Business is giving away TVs with their new campaign. Here’s how you can secure the deal.

[This is a sponsored article with Unifi Business.] “Hi, can I have the Wi-Fi password?” If you’ve ever tried doing work, streaming content, or just staying connected while out and about, you’ve probably asked this question at least once. The worst scenario? Connecting to the Wi-Fi only to realise how weak the connection is. Then, […]
Singapore-based eSIM platform Airalo raises US$220 million, achieves unicorn status

Singapore-based travel eSIM platform Airalo has secured US$220 million (S$281.7 million, conversion rate US$1 = S$1.28) in a funding round, pushing its valuation to over US$1 billion and making it the industry’s first unicorn. The round was led by a new investor, CVC, a Luxembourg-based firm which contributed US$185 million through its Asia Fund VI. Existing financiers Peak […]
Jollibean staff left in limbo after outlet closures in S’pore, months of salary & CPF delayed

Update: As of The Straits Times article published on July 13, 2025, Jollibean has agreed to pay the salaries it owed to 22 employees in instalments, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating the company for offences under the Employment Act. Once an iconic F&B brand with more than 30 outlets islandwide, Singapore soy […]
S’pore govt to launch new grant in Oct 2025 to support businesses amid US tariffs

The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT) announced on Thursday (July 10) that it will launch a Business Adaptation Grant in October to help Singaporean companies adapt to the new tariff environment amid the imposition of new reciprocal tariff rates by the United States. The grant, which includes a co-funding component, will be capped at S$100,000, […]
Morgan Stanley: In 2030, the average S’porean household may be richer by S$1.2M. Here’s how.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Morgan Stanley’s findings and forecasts reported below should not be treated as financial advice. Investment banking giant Morgan Stanley has just given Singapore a huge vote of confidence, publishing a very positive forecast for the city’s investment scene over the next five […]
Singapore is turning 60, here are 10 things you can do to celebrate before, during & after NDP

With just one month to go before Singapore turns 60, the city-state is already abuzz with festivities. From music festivals and floral showcases to food trails and immersive tech experiences, there’s something for everyone—families, foodies, arts lovers, and history buffs alike. We’ve rounded up some of the exciting events and experiences you won’t want to […]
Raw and unguarded: Alliance Bank’s documentary on their Accelerator Edition is one to watch

[This was written in partnership with Alliance Bank, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] In June 2024, Alliance Bank launched the Accelerator Edition of their BizSmart® Challenge, bringing together 30 businesses from a pool of 593 entrants to undergo an intensive six-month-long journey, in a bid to be hailed as the […]
Jobstreet: These 5 industries in Singapore offered the biggest salary increases in 2024

2024 has been a challenging year for businesses amid geopolitical and economic complexities. It has shaken the global job market, leading to downsizing and closures of many multinational corporations and small to medium-sized businesses. Yet it seems like not all companies have followed this bleak trend. According to Jobstreet’s 2025 Hiring, Compensation & Benefits report, […]
Nutritional medicine is more than diets, here’s how this M’sian wellness centre taps into it

[Written in partnership with RENN Asia Wellness, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. It’s been some time since Vulcan Post began collaborating with RENN Asia Wellness, a homegrown holistic wellness […]
AI use by students should be promoted not penalised, as S’pore profs say it’s a “lost cause”

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Channel NewsAsia published a report about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) by students in Singapore yesterday (July 8), with local professors admitting that policing its use for written assignments is a “lost cause”. Educators agreed that trying to catch every instance […]
Lemon8 is ByteDance’s quiet hit—and it’s all about good vibes only

ByteDance has already made a huge mark in the social media landscape with TikTok, but another platform launched by the tech giant in 2020 has been quietly gaining momentum in recent years: Lemon8. Branded as a lifestyle app, it is especially popular among Millennials and Gen Zs, who you’ll find sharing personal stories, lifestyle tips […]
Gamuda Land wants to support more M’sian SMEs with grants & free rent, here’s how to sign up

[This is a sponsored article with Gamuda Land.] Building a great place is about more than just structures, it’s about supporting the people, businesses, and ideas that help a community grow. And that’s what Gamuda Land truly believes. That’s why their SME-focused initiative, GL Business Get Set, GO! Programme, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs with […]
He failed 5,127 times, but now runs a multibillion-dollar biz: We interviewed THE James Dyson

Hairdryers, vacuums, air purifiers—for most people, Dyson is synonymous with high-end household appliances. But the company has always seen itself differently; not as an appliance brand, but as a technology company, driven by a relentless pursuit of solving problems others overlook. After all, it was this very obsession that transformed James Dyson’s one-man operation into […]
After quitting corporate jobs, this duo claims they pioneered halal fine dining in S’pore

If you enjoy barbecue, you’ve probably heard of The Social Outcast—a name that’s also made big waves in the halal food scene. Founded by Aminurrashid Hasnordin (better known as Chef Mint), a former lecturer, and his partner Noelle Chua, who previously worked in finance, the brand started as a modest hawker stall six years ago and […]
Where art meets taste: This Kota Kemuning cafe serves artisanal coffee and bespoke florals

Sitting among humble shop lots overlooking terraced residences, Peonique’s elegant and refined charm stands out against its slightly more aged neighbours. Featuring clean, white walls, a contemporary store sign, and windows and glass doors spanning the facade of the store, it’s hard for visitors of the Kota Kemuning shop row to not at least turn […]
Bigger, bulkier, and barely better: Why I won’t be buying the Switch 2 anytime soon

The new Nintendo Switch 2 released in Singapore last Thursday (June 26), and I have to say, I’m… not impressed. Certainly, it’s not terrible. A custom-made Nvidia graphics card and larger screen do mean that gamers like me can better enjoy and appreciate the effort that animators put into triple-A games that have a high […]
Microsoft axes 9,000 jobs globally in second major round of layoffs this year

Microsoft has announced that it will lay off about 9,000 employees—nearly 4% of its workforce—in a second major wave of layoffs on Wednesday, July 2, according to a Reuters report. The move will have an impact across teams, geographies and tenure, as the tech giant looks to reduce organisational layers with fewer managers and streamline […]
Would you pay S$3,200/month to use an oxygen cocoon? This S’porean startup thinks so.

We have seen our fair share of healthcare trends over the years, from probiotic drinks and superfood snacks to fitness and wellness events. Alongside these fads, a wave of healthtech startups has also emerged, leveraging modern solutions to address individual health needs. Among them is O2genes, a homegrown business that specialises in wellness technology solutions […]
Tech in Asia cuts 18% of staff & shuts down Indonesian-language site to streamline operations

Digital media outlet Tech in Asia (TIA) announced on July 1 that it will lay off nearly a fifth (18%) of its team and close down its Indonesian-language publication in a bid to streamline operations. In an announcement published on its website, CEO and founder Willis Wee attributed the decision to growing economic pressures and […]
This S’porean biz carved its niche in collectibles with bread merch that’s now sold worldwide

When we first spoke to Chanel Lee back in 2022, her lifestyle and character brand, Tasty Toastys—known for its whimsical cartoon toast characters—was thriving in the NFT space. This time, we check in with her as she embarks on the next phase of her journey: merchandising. In a sea of global toy crazes—one that hasn’t […]
This M’sian boutique agency has grown to handle global brands like Xiaomi & HK Tourism Board

[This is a sponsored article with Ariff Communications.] For this boutique PR agency, a question they often get is, “Who’s Ariff?” After all, a lot of agencies, like Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, and Hill & Knowlton, are named after their founders. But KL-based Ariff Communications wasn’t named after anyone on the team, but someone who deeply […]
There are 45,300 vacancies in Singapore paying a median of S$7,300/month. Where to find them?

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Data sourced from the latest labour market report released by the Ministry of Manpower, supplemented with figures from earlier releases where necessary. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has just released its latest Labour Market Report for Q1 of 2025, and it’s a […]
Valencia CF completes S$480.18M financing for new stadium, to be one of the largest in Europe

Spanish football club Valencia CF (‘Valencia’) announced on June 26, 2025, that it has successfully secured financing of €322 million (S$480.18 million, conversion rate €1 = S$1.49) for its new stadium, which is set to be one of the largest in Europe. Scheduled to open in 2027, the Nou Mestella boasts a capacity of 70,044 […]
This PR firm director started Matcha Eight, a premium Japanese tea ice cream brand in M’sia

If you love matcha, you might have heard of (or even tasted) Matcha Eight’s drinks or desserts. Founded by Miho Kaneko, this homegrown business is known for its authentic Japanese tea flavours. As you might be able to tell from her name, Miho herself is originally from Japan. A Liberal Arts and Japanese History graduate […]
S’pore firms offer up to a 20% salary raise for switching jobs. Here are the top-paying ones.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Data sourced from RGF Professional Recruitment Salary Watch 2025. In spite of recent media reports proclaiming the end of job-hopping for higher pay, it turns out that some industries are still willing to offer a bonus to qualified people just to poach […]
Built for takeoff: How YouTrip is soaring with Southeast Asia’s travel boom

While many fintechs have focused on growth at all costs, YouTrip has taken a quieter, more measured path—one that has led to profitability. The travel tech company recorded its first net profit in 2022 and sustained that performance through 2023, processing about US$10 billion in transactions annually. It continued its profitability streak in 2024. And now, […]
More sign-ups, less excitement: Is HYROX here to stay in Singapore, or a passing trend?

In a world where everyone has become more health-conscious, one fitness event has gained immense popularity in recent years—HYROX, a hybrid race that combines functional workouts and endurance running. Participants run a total of 8 km, interspersed with eight gruelling exercises such as sled pushes, burpees, and sandbag lunges. Since its launch in Germany in […]